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Pa. avoids 'nuclear option' that would have cut 200,000 stocked trout

John Buffone, York Daily Record
Published 9:28 a.m. ET July 12, 2018 | Updated 11:23 a.m. ET July 12, 2018

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Volunteers helped to stock creeks in the west end of Franklin County on Friday, March 9, 2018. Fishing season opens on Saturday March 31 in the local area.
Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion

D.J. Beckey, a fish culturist with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) holds a net full of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The commission stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state. (Photo11: Maddie Crocenzi)

For the time being, Pennsylvania anglers won’t have to worry about a decrease in trout stocking.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has decided to delay a $2 million cut to programs that was supposed to go into effect this month. The cuts would have closed hatcheries and severely cut back trout stocking within the state.

State Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-Hellam Township, applauded the PFBC’s decision, saying it would have led to a loss of jobs and hindered the experience for fishing enthusiasts in Pennsylvania.

“Pressing the button would have been the nuclear option,” Gillespie said. “If they would have closed the hatcheries and cut back on the stocking, it would have caused a lot of damage.”

Rep. Keith Gillespie(Photo11: File)

Gillespie, the majority chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, has been heavily involved with new legislation that would allow the PFBC to set its own license fees.

“It’ll be about 14 years they have gone without an increase,” Gillespie said. “I think most realize that they can’t continue to function and offer the services to the sportsmen and women of the commonwealth without having an increase.”

The legislation, known as Senate Bill 30, easily passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the House.

“I’m an optimistic person," said Gillespie "There are some dissenters among the general assembly that are not in favor of giving them the authority to set their own prices with legislative oversight. But we are confident that the votes are there to get it passed.”

Gillespie said if the bill passes, there could be a six to seven dollar increase on basic fishing licenses phased in over a few years.

Though things could be changing behind the scenes, Gillespie believes the delay in program cuts will maintain a quality experience for fishermen in the state.

“People aren’t going to see a 200,000 trout reduction that would have been a result of this cutback,” Gillespie said. “There are going to be that many more trout for the average angler to pursue in the streams.”

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Phil Gladfelter from North Codorus Township opens a bucket of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi

Rudy Rohrbaugh from Dover Township prepares buckets for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state.
Maddie Crocenzi, York Daily Record

D.J. Beckey, a fish culturist with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, transfers trout from a truck into a bucket that's held by Rudy Rohrbaugh from Dover Township for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek. Maddie Crocenzi, York Daily Record/Sunday News

D.J. Beckey, a fish culturist with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) holds a net full of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The commission stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi

Phil Gladfelter from North Codorus Township carries a bucket of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi

Phil Gladfelter from North Codorus Township dumps a bucket of trout in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek recently. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi, York Daily Record/Sunday News

D.J. Beckey, a fish culturist with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) transfers trout from a truck into a bucket that's held by Rudy Rohrbaugh from Dover Township for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The commission stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi

Mike Heisler from North Codorus Township grabs a bucket full of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state.
Maddie Crocenzi

Rudy Rohrbaugh from Dover Township prepares buckets for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks brook, brown and rainbow trout throughout the state.
Maddie Crocenzi

Mike Heisler from North Codorus Township carries a bucket full of trout for trout stocking in the East Branch of the Codorus Creek recently. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout throughout the state. Maddie Crocenzi, York Daily Record/Sunday News